Thursday, December 14, 2017

Hi. I am one of the authors of "Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts". We all got together and created this blog. Above is my dog Bounce in his first Christmas sweater. He is thinking What is she thinking! I adopted Bounce last year and he is a sweetie.

My new 24 inch tall bird tree with 12 birds on it. I think it is cheerful. Did you add new Christmas decorations this year?

Gifts given to me from the GriefShare / Surviving the Holidays classes I attended at a local church. For anyone having a sad time at the holidays or anytime, I recommend the GriefShare program (13 sessions at different times of the year) and the Surviving the Holidays event.
Merry Christmas to All.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

It is Rudy Day again, the 25th of each month and a good time to think of Christmas gifts.
Here is an idea I love.

This is the "ESV Daily Reading Bible: Through the Bible in a Year". I treated myself to a copy last Christmas and I find it very easy to read about 15 minutes a day in this Bible. At the end of one year you will have read the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice. Today I looked at Christianbooks.com and it is only $6.99.
No, I have no connection with that online store, but love that low price!
A wonderful Scottish pastor, Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813-1843) created this reading plan. I was stunned to see he lived to be only 30 and yet left this lasting treasure.
I think this Bible would be a great Christmas gift to yourself or anyone on your gift list, and then they could start in reading on January first.
What gifts are you planning to buy or make?
This was posted by Terra Hangen.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

I recently learned that some folks have designated the 25th of each month as Rudolph Day,
affectionately called Rudy Day.

The idea is that on the 25th of each month you pause and think about organizing for Christmas. Here on our blog, every day is Rudy Day,
since we give Christmas celebrating tips from July to January. So enjoy
your own Rudy Days in the months to come, as you prepare to celebrate
the day Jesus was born.
I found a blog that has a schedule by month for Rudy Day activities atRudy Day News Blog She has an April 2012 post that lists a schedule.
Do any of you use Rudolph Day to help organize for the holidays?
posted by Terra Hangen

Friday, December 25, 2015

An angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds who were watching their sheep at night and the angel told them "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven and on
earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said
to one another 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has
happened, which the Lord has told us about'.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:10-20

In the Annunciation the angel spoke to Mary "The Holy Spirit will come
upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the
holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Photo of our living room at Christmas 2014.
At this busy time of year I like to make a list of what I choose to do.
That gives me freedom to consider not doing things that no longer need doing, since one year is different from another.Here are some things I will do this Christmas season.
I love to attend live performances of the Nutcracker Ballet each year, but will decide if I will do that this year.
Set up our festive Christmas tree with lots of old ornaments for the sparkly centerpiece of our holiday decor.
Buy an amaryllis bulb. I did that and planted it in the pot that came with it, on November 17. The color will be a surprise since the kit says it will be red, white or red and white.
Put up our collection of wooden nutcrackers on the fireplace mantle. My parents started this tradition.
Buy a new Christmas book each year. One sweet book is "A Cup of Christmas Tea", for children and adults, about a young man visiting his lonely senior aunt.
Display our two manger scenes.
Holiday meal and gift exchange on Christmas day with family.
Spend time at church.
Mail 30 or 40 Christmas cards to family and friends near and far, some who live in other countries. New activity this year.
I will attend a holiday lunch and show where my friend is singing and dancing. Tradition I will not do this year.
Bake Christmas cookies. This year I won't do any baking since I don't have little children around to bake for and we avoid excess sugar and white flour. We do love sweet treats though.Are there any Christmas traditions at your house that you will enjoy this year, and any you will drop?
This post written by Terra Hangen
Here is a link with info about our co-authored Christmas book:Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Sunday, November 1, 2015

November is the ideal month to buy an amaryllis bulb and plant it in a small pot for blooms at Christmas. These photos are of amaryllis from our home. Amaryllis do NOT require a green thumb or much care and they look spectacular as they grow on a thick green stem that reaches up above the pot and looks unusual.

Amaryllis grow from bulbs
that can be as large as your fist, and have flowers up to eight inches across,
on tall sturdy stems. As the thick stems grow above the pot, they look like strange
alien beings, and guests are apt to remark “what is that?”.

Once the blooms open up, the question is answered, as the
flowers brighten the room.

Most amaryllis will bloom in six to eight weeks, so November is
the time to buy an amaryllis, either as a plain bulb, or one that is already growing in a pot, and that has
stems emerging from the bulb. The bulbs you can buy that are almost ready to
bloom are usually for red or red and white flowers, though amaryllis can be
found in salmon, white and even lime green. There is a wide selection of bulbs and colors available in online and mail order nurseries.

For beauty I put some gardener’s marbles on top of the
soil, set the pot in a sunny window, water once a week, and turn the pot a few
times a week to keep the stalks growing straight up.When the amaryllis is done flowering, let the leaves die back, and set it in an out of the way corner until next spring when you can water it so it will bloom again, for several years to come.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Did you hear the one about the blond who heard that the majority of car accidents happen within two miles of her home? ..........She moved.

LEAVE a comment to be entered into a contest to win a copy of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts. Drawing this weekend.

Many people travel long distances over the holidays by car, train, and air, but most traveling is done locally and not just the few days around Christmas, but daily. Truly, this time of year is a little hazardous to your car fenders and you. With planning you can make the roads a safer and friendlier place during the holidays with these tips to help you from now until Christmas.

At the beginning of your day, start a list of the local stops you need to make. Route yourself so you travel the fewest miles or the least congested miles. Make plenty of lists, essential to avoid a quick run to the stores or malls. God bless you if you have to go to the malls after the 15th.

Be a friendly driver. If someone lets you merge into waiting traffic, wave a thank you. Allow those having a difficult time merging into traffic to go in front of you. Even this small gesture of kindness brings its own rewards.

Plan your meals from now until Christmas. Buy early. Bake and relax at home while others scurry about for last minute ingredients.

Play Christmas music when traveling. Cheeriness will invade your heart.

Have you put off mammograms, dentist visits, or yearly checkups? Often those offices are slow this time of year. Make an appointment now to take care of your preventive care.

Moms, the kiddos will be out of school soon. It's easier to push a grocery cart single-handed than with three children in tow. If you can afford to, shop early for those everyday needs.

Keep a bottle of water and a healthy snack on hand in your vehicle, to avoid fat-laden burgers and drive-thru lines. Or pack a brown bag lunch, and sit in your vehicle and have lunch. That down time just might relax you enough that a forgotten errand comes to mind and you save an extra local trip to stores.

About The Word Quilters

Do you want your December trimmed in "all is calm"? But you still long for a bit of jingle and whimsy in your days? Load up right here on holiday spirit and hints to usher in a tranquil celebration. One-stop-blogging. Join The Word Quilters as we unveil easy ways to celebrate this season of hope.